New Year's Revolution!

Captain Sensible writes: Whatever else you resolve to do, or not do, this coming year, let 2008 be the year that you stopped wondering if you have the "gift of singleness" or if it is "God's will" that you marry.
You haven't, and it is.

"Despair and anguish" at Christmas for Madeleine McCann's parents

Captain Sensible writes: Spare a prayer this Christmas for Madeleine McCann and her parents. And of course all those suffering any kind of grief at this wonderful, but strange, time of year.
Some of us will be able to give a tremendous joy offering to our Saviour. For others, I liken it to the poor widow, whose small offering was all she could manage, but she gave all she could. And that meant much, much more.

Christmas message for Madeleine McCann

Christians denigrating marriage

Captain Sensible writes: Anyone else noticed this? I don't just mean equating marriage to the invented "gift of singleness".
I think I mean singles (women especially) that have been brainwashed into convincing themselves that they actually don't particularly want to get married (like in a "sure it would be nice, but I want to focus on pleasing God" kind of way - as if marriage isn't a way God has created to do just that!).
Singles that have been brainwashed into thinking that desiring marriage is dangerous idolatry and in some way in competition to serving Him - like it's an either/or proposition.
I think I especially mean singles that caution against making a bad marriage whenever subject comes up. Like they find it comforting that a number of marriages do break down and they almost smugly (or even, in a barely-disguised manner, gleefully?) talk about people they know that have got divorced.
I really think we need to watch this as a dangerous new trend, bearing in mind Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage is honourable in all..." (KJV) or "Marriage should be honoured by all..." (NIV)

More "Waiting on the Lord"

Frieda Fruitcake writes: This brother is waiting on the Lord for a job.
He doesn't know if is it God's will for him to work. In fact, he won't know for sure if it is God's will for him to work until he reaches retirement age, as the gift of unemployment may last for a "season", or for a lifetime.
But what he does know is that today he has this good gift, and he is content with it. He trusts that, if it is God's will, then God will bring a job to him in His perfect time. He doesn't have to do anything. Except maybe prepare to work. See what a smart tie and briefcase he has bought!
And now he is waiting.
Not for him to try to get ahead of God's timing by sending out a CV or signing up with a job agency! No, he knows that God is more than capable of bringing a job to him, if that is His will.
And in the meantime, he is just going to wait.
What faith! What trust!
Praise the Lord for wise brothers in Christ!

Waiting on the Lord for a Husband! Inspiring!

She's waiting on the Lord!



And so is she, as she does her "shopping for one" again!



Just look how delighted she is with her "gift of singleness". She's joyously content, as she "waits" and "trusts", knowing God's timing is always perfect!









Frieda Fruitcake writes: These ladies are so inspiring to me! I hope they have encouraged you too as you "wait".
But what I find truly amazing is how prophetic these ladies were. Given that "waiting on the Lord" to bring you your spouse is such a new doctrine, these ladies were truly ahead of their time!
I know it's hard to imagine now, but think what the situation was like only a generation or so ago. The church used to be pro-marriage, and helped and encouraged single Christian men and women to marry.
For these women to have prophetically embraced the gift of singleness (before the church even knew there was such a gifting!), and even when there were still some single men in the church, is truly an inspiration to me!
As always dear singleness-gifted sisters and last remaining brother in the church: Stay blessed, stay single!

The New (just discovered!) Book of Acts II

Frieda Fruitcake writes: I am so excited! I have just been sent a previously undiscovered addition to the Bible, and I can exclusively reveal it here!
(Theologians and Greek professors may email me directly with their questions.)

2 Acts 1
1: And it came to pass that in the years to follow, the disciples stopped being fishers of men.
2: The leaders gathered frequently to chat amongst themselves and discuss important issues like, well, something or other, maybe to do with the church building? And they let their wives put on lots of new prayer groups and book clubs for women.
3: The places of worship primarily became creches and play schools with lots of face painting and toys, and there was much for the older "youth" to do too.
4: The disciples had become scared of the men in the world, and preferred instead to spend their time with other Christians only, so they isolated themselves from other men and were afraid to go out and tell them the Good News.
5: Not many were added to their number daily; in fact, they continually decreased, and soon there were virtually no other men in their number.
6: But they weren't bothered.
Selah.

Refuse to pray with those that are just "waiting on the Lord" for their spouse?

How would you feel about praying for someone to find a job, if they refused to pick up a newspaper and apply for anything?

"It's better to be single than to wish you were" (or the variation: "It's better to be single than to be married to the wrong person")

So is it better to be unemployed than employed, because some people really hate their jobs?

"You sometimes find more spiritual depth and authenticity in the lives of those who do not go to church"

Great list here entitled "You might have missional tendancies if..."
Here are just a few taken from the list:

You've oftened muttered leaving a 'church service', "there's got to be more to it than this".

You've wondered why Christians only hang-out with Christians when Jesus seemingly never missed an opportunity to party with the riff-raff.

You've had the urge to spill your guts to the next artificial inquiry, "I'm fine, how are you?".

You've had the compelling urge to join the preacher at the podium to present an alternative perspective.

You sometimes find more spiritual depth and authenticity in the lives of those who do not go to church.

Hmm...

What happened to the great Christian battle?

"Every Muslim man knows that he is locked in a great battle between good and evil, and although that was a prevalent teaching in Christianity until about 100 years ago, today it's primarily about having a relationship with a man who loves you unconditionally.

"And if that's the punch line of the Gospel, then you're going to have a lot more women than men taking you up on your offer because women are interested in a personal relationship with a man who loves you unconditionally. Men, generally, are not."

David Murrow, author of "Why men hate going to church", with the above taken from a Washington Post article.